U.S. Senator Sex Scandal

A Republican U.S. senator who admitted to "serious sin" after he was linked last week to a Washington escort service apologized for the sex scandal on Monday, but said he will go back to work.

Sen. David Vitter, a social conservative who has routinely touted family values, said his undescribed sins occurred several years ago, implying that his misdeeds were behind him. He accused enemies of dredging up the scandal to hurt him.

Vitter, who had stayed out of sight the past week, said he was going back to Washington immediately, giving no hint he might resign the office he won in 2004.